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Dominican Plants & Flowers

By Holly Johns

With its varied topography and tropical climate, the Dominican Republic has some of the richest plant life in the Antilles. There are some 5,600 species, 36 percent of which are thought to be native. Vegetation varies considerably and is more prevalent than in neighboring Haiti. Mountainous regions are populated with pines and hardwoods, but these are diminishing due to hurricanes, fires and uncontrolled deforestation. In areas with heavier rainfall, grasslands and rainforests occur, while in drier areas shrubs and scrub are more common. Natural vegetation has given way to cultivation of crops in the fertile soils of the upland valleys.

Topography

The Dominican Republic is generally mountainous, with arid areas in the west of the country. The Central Cordillera mountain range runs east to west. The El Cibao region occupies the north of the country and is famed for its fertile soil.

Climate

The average year-round temperature in the Dominican Republic is 77 F, with the mountainous interior generally a few degrees cooler. The tropical climate has little seasonal variation, and the seasons are determined by rainfall more than any other factor. October through April is considered the rainy season. Hurricanes strike the south of the country every two years, on average, in August or September.

Vegetation

Despite deforestation, The most common type of vegetation is still subtropical forest, which is found in lowland areas and on the floors and slopes of most valleys. It is characterized by the abundant, lush, green landscape of royal palms, coconut palms, Hispaniolan mahogany, West Indian cedar, wild olive and American muskwood.

Edible Plants

Edible plants native to the Dominican Republic include the fruits and saps of of varying palms, bananas, money trees, coconuts and pineapples. An unusual but common plant to be found on many beaches is sea purslane. Used like any green leaf vegetable, all parts of the plant can be eaten raw or cooked.

Flowering Shrubs

There are thousands of species of tropical flowering shrubs in the Dominican Republic, and shrubs such as hibiscus, jasmine, yucca, oleander, bougainvillea and saw palmetto can be seen everywhere. Bougainvillea, with its abundant purple bracts, grows rampantly throughout the country and seems to thrive best in the more arid areas.

About the Author

Holly Johns attained a graduate degree in communications from Oxford University in 1987, and started writing professionally shortly thereafter. She has more than 20 years of experience in journalism and public and media relations, and has been published widely in publications, including "The Guardian," "The Daily Mail," "U.S. Stars and Stripes," and "Time Out London."